Owen Sound - 3 V.C.s

Location:  N 44° 33.840 W 080° 56.685  Three plaques are found on the east side of 1st Avenue, across from the library.


Three men from the Owen Sound area have been awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest honour in the British Commonwealth.  These three Ontario Historical Plaques are situated side by side, next to the town's cenotaph.

Thomas William Holmes, V.C., 1898-1950

 

Plaque Text

Born in Montreal, Holmes moved with his family to Owen Sound in 1903. He enlisted in the 147th Infantry Battalion C.E.F. in 1915, but later transferred to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. In October 1917, his unit took part in the violent opening assault on the German position at Passchendaele. During this action Private Holmes, under heavy enemy fire, captured single-handed an important "pill-box" strongpoint which had been holding up the right flank of the Canadian advance. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour in this battle.

David Vivian Currie, V.C. 1912-1986

Plaque Text

A much-honoured World War II army officer, Currie, who is buried in Owen Sound, was born and raised in Saskatchewan. He enlisted in 1940 and was sent overseas with the 29th Canadian Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (the South Alberta Regiment) three years later. On August 18, 1944, Currie, leading a small force in Normandy, was ordered to help seal the Chambois-Trun escape route to the German forces cut off in the Falaise pocket. He met fierce resistance in the village of St. Lambert-sur-Dives. There, by skilful command and heroic example, Currie sustained his men for three days as they repeatedly thwarted breakout attempts by masses of Germans. For his actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the British Commonwealth's highest decoration for valour.

William Avery Bishop, V.C., 1894-1956

Plaque Text

Born in Owen Sound, "Billy" Bishop was attending the Royal Military College when war was declared in 1914. He first joined a cavalry unit, but in 1915 transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Courage and marksmanship made him one of the war's greatest fighting pilots, credited officially with the destruction of 72 enemy aircraft. When hostilities ended he was the youngest lieutenant-colonel of the air force and had won the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. During World War II he became a director of recruiting for the R.C.A.F. with the rank of air marshal.

Caledon East

Location:  N 43 52.528   W 079 51.511  In front of the Caledon East Community Complex, on the south side of Old Church Road.

A very nice cenotaph, in a small park-like setting in front of the municipal building.  Unveiled in 1981.

Marker text:
Front:
IN MEMORY OF
THOSE WHO PAID
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918
Morley Atwood
John Bass
Sidney Cornforth
Harry Hickey
William Jones
Elmer Moss
George Munro
William Munro
Lawrence Matthews
Wilbert McCaffrey
Earl McMinn
Hilliard Perdue
Cuthbert Pitchford
Jere Riddell
William Wellwood
Albert Walker

THEY HAVE LEFT
THEIR NAMES BEHIND THEM   



IN MEMORY OF
THOSE WHO PAID
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
IN WORLD WAR II
1939 - 1945
John Cooper
Michael Gronin
Edward Grogan
Robert Moore

THEIR BODIES ARE BURIED IN PEACE
BUT THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOR EVERMORE


DEDICATED
TO THE MEMORY OF
THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
IN KOREA
1950 -- 1953

LEST WE FORGET


Rear:
This memorial was unveiled on Novemeber 15th 1981 on the site of the former Caledon East Community Hall which was built by public contribution in 1923 to honour those who served their country in the 1st and 2nd World Wars.
The attached bronze plaques came from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 292 Caledon East and commemorate the young men from this community who laid down their lives for their country in both World Wars.
Rededicated June 5 2004 in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of D-Day June 6th 1944.

Mt. Hope - CF-104 Starfighter

Location:  N 43° 09.555 W 079° 55.539   On display in front of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, on Airport Road, at the Hamilton International Airport.


The dominant feature, located in front of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, this CF-104 Starfighter bears the designation RCAF 641.
The Canadian built CF-104 Starfighter was one of the most successful jet fighter aircraft to serve with Canada's Air Force. A total of 340 fighters were built under license by the Canadian government. The CF-104 was designed as a light-weight nuclear strike aircraft. The aircraft were retired from service in 1986 after being used for over 25 years until they were was replaced by the CF-18. 
The CF-104 in front of the museum, bearing serial number 104641, is the "D" model built by Lockheed of which there were 39 purchased for training.   **taken from:  http://www.warplane.com/pages/aircraft_cf104.html


Plaque text:
LOCKHEED (CANADAIR) CF-104 STARFIGHTER
The CF-104 Starfighter was designed in 1952 by C.L. Kelly
Johnson in Burbank, California.  In July 1959, 200 CF-104's
were ordered by the RCAF to replacetheir aging F-86 Sabres.
The first Canadair built CF-104 flew in May 1961 with a total
of 340 built under licence in Canada.  in 1962, No. 427 Squadron
first flew the CF-104 with NATO in Europe for a nuclear strike
with seven more squadrons joining the following year.  CF-104's
continued service in fighter, strike and photo reconnaissance
roles until 1986 when they were eventually phased out.


The Canadian built CF-104 Starfighter was one of the most
successful jet fighter aircraft to serve with Canada's Air Force.
This two-seat Starfighter is a CF-104D and was used for training
purposes.

Coboconk RCL Br. 519

Location:  N 44 39.750   W 078 48.182     In front of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 519, on the south side of Highway 48, just west of Highway 35.  Address is 2916 Victoria County Road 48.

This memorial was proudly constructed by members of the Coboconk Legion.  The cairn is constructed of granite stones and topped with a white cross and a sculptured flame.

Text reads:
IN MEMORY OF THOSE
CANADIANS WHO FOUGHT
AND DIED SO THAT WE
MIGHT LIVE IN FREEDOM

LEST WE FORGET

WW1  1914-1918
WW2   1939-1945
KOREAN WAR   1950-1953


A plaque on the side of the cairn simply reads:  LEST WE FORGET

Deseronto

Location:  N 44 11.694  W 077 02.907  On the south side of Main Street, across from Centre Street.

A solid white stone, with 5 different plaques to honour those who have fallen in previous engagements.  This is the first memorial I have seen with Afghanistan recognized.

Plaque 1.
FOR GOD   FOR HOME   FOR  LIBERTY
1914   1918
IN GRATEFULNESS FOR THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE GREAT WAR

TOWN OF DESERONTO
Earnest A. Dennie, Thomas A. Ellis, Jos. B. Hill, Francis V. Kelly, Harold McAfee, Edmund V. McNeil, Guy Provins, Beniah Ridgewell, Arthur Rosendale,  Earnest Sharpe, Guy Stratton, Herbert E. Wicks

TOWNSHIP OF TYENDINAGA
Con. Barnhart, Harry Barnhart, James Barnhart, Arthur Brant, Ernest R. Brant, Richard Brant, Amos Green, Austin Green, David Green, Jacob Green, George Maracle, Isaac Maracle, John H. Maracle, Peter W. Maracle, Philip Maracle, Wheeler Maracle, William Maracle, Thomas Mungo, Willaim Penn, Reuben Sero, Harry Smart, George Williams

GIVEN IN MEMORY OF MY PARENTS AND SISTERS,
JANE, IDA, EMMA, ETTA.
THOMAS C. BROWN

Plaque 2. (seems to correct an omission of the first plaque)
ANNIE, ALSO SISTER
THOMAS C. BROWN

Plaque 3.
IN GRATEFULNESS TO THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
1939 - - - 1945

TOWN OF DESERONTO
Robert Armitage, George Cole, Ray Harvey, Arthur Hoppings, Clayton Jackson, Owen Miller, Francis Maracle, John Maracle, F/O H.M. Sharpe, David Schryver

Plaque 4.
KOREA
1950 - 1953

Plaque 5.
AFGHANISTAN

Bolsover

Location:  N 44° 31.850 W 079° 03.889  Found at the entrance to the Bolsover Cemetery, on Bolsover Road.


Former site of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, in Bolsover. The church was built on this site in 1861, and was destroyed by fire in 1976. The adjoining cemetery holds the remains of several veterans from the earliest days of this cemetery. A small memorial, dedicated on September 3rd 2000, with the names of those veterans can be found at the entrance to the cemetery.

LEST WE FORGET

HONOURING CANADIAN VETERANS BURIED IN BOLSOVER CEMETERY

Left column:
DRAKE, AUSTIN E.
DAYNES, EDWARD
COWIE, WINIFRED L.
COWIE, RUSSELL
THRASHER, CHARLES J.
BURGESS, WILLIAM D.
MOORE, CARLETON
COWIE, JOHN A.
HARRIS, CECIL R.
DALGLEISH, CHESTER M.
NICHOLLS, ROBERT A.
SILVERTHORNE, HOWARD
MUSGRAVE, SAM
CAMERON, GEORGE A.
MACEACHERN, HECTOR M.
RUSSELL, WALTER N.
FOSTER, ROY WALTER
COWIE, ERNEST
STUBBINS, FRED A.
DAVENPORT, CYRIL W.
WOOTTON, HAROLD
ROGERS, GRAYDON (BUCK)
GRANT, EARLUM L.

Centre column:
WEBDALE, ROBERT
PEACOCK, ERNEST
COCKBURN, JOHN L.
MACFADYEN, MARY I.
STEWART, ANDREW T.
HURREN, GEORGE C.
HENRY, JAMES
MADER, HENRY H. (HIB)
COULTER, LORNE A.
SILVERTHORNE, EDWIN (ED)
GOMOLL, RUSSELL
WOOD, MEREDITH
PARADISE, STANLEY
HOAD, LLOYD
WILSON, THOMAS
FRY, THOMAS
MCGILLIVRAY, GRAHAM
LONG, DONALD VINCENT
BURNEY, DOUGLAS N.
CHILD, MURRAY G.
MACPHERSON, LORNE S.
IRWIN, JOHN J.
HARRISON, FRANK (BUD)

Right column:
SIMPSON, FREDERICK (FRED)
MITCHELL, CHARLES A.
CRAWFORD, FLOYD J.
DAY, FREDERICK
FARRELL WILLIAM ROY
HERD EDWARD A. (TED)
DRUMMOND, M. JOSEPH
McRAE, STANLEY A.
MENNELL, LARRY W.
TAYLOR, ROLAND G.
BROWN, MORLEY ROY (MIKE)
LOW, GEORGE WILLIAM
McDONALD, ROY ABERDEEN
McCUAIG, GEORGE WILL

Ridgeway -- Battle of Ridgeway

Location:  N 42° 54.249 W 079° 02.509  On the north side of Highway 3, about 5 kilometres west of Fort Erie, just east of Ridge Road.


Ridgeway Battlefield was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1921 because:
- the Queen’s Own Rifles, 13th Hamilton Battalion, Caledonia and York Rifle Companies of Haldimand fought here, in defence of their country, against Fenian raiders, on 2 June 1866.

The Battle of Ridgeway was fought between the Canadian Volunteer Militia and about 500 to 800 Fenian invaders on 2 June 1866, just north of what was then the town of Ridgeway. Skirmishing began between the Militia and the Fenians near the intersection of Ridge Road and Garrison Road, but most of the fighting occurred on or near Lime Ridge, an elevated terrain that ran almost parallel to Ridge Road. The Canadian Volunteer Militia, led by Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Booker initially made a strong stance against the Fenian invaders led by Colonel John O’Neil. Although the Militia outnumbered the Fenians, they were unable to repel the invaders due to lack of experience and training, and supply issues. After a valiant stand, the Canadian Volunteer Militia was forced to retreat to the nearby village of Stevensville. The Fenian raiders returned to the United States the following day, fearful of Militia reinforcements being sent from Chippawa, near Niagara Falls.

Sources: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Minutes, October 2008; Plaque Text, May 1929.

Plaque Text

"PRO PATRIA
In abiding memory of the officers and men of the Queen's Own Rifles, 13th Hamilton Battalion, Caledonia and York Rifle Companies of Haldimand who fought here in defence of their country against Fenian Raiders, on 2nd June, 1866."

CFB Borden - RCR Korea

Location:  N 44 17.203  W 079 53.511  Located in Worthington Park, west of Dieppe Road, behind the Military Museum.


Taken from a plaque beside the memorial:
"This memorial was originally dedicated at CFB Petawawa on Hill 187 Day, 8 May 1973.  The plaque itself moved with the unit and was mounted within the battalion lines in CFB Baden and CFB Winnipeg.  It was erected in memory of 38 members of the battalion who died during the unit's service in Korea.  It was rededicated at this site on 16 October 1994." 

Marker text:
THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT

ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THOSE MEMBERS OF
THE 3RD BN RCR WHO DIED WHILE SERVING IN KOREA
1953 - 1954

Pte Ard, H                      14 May 53
Lt Banton, DW                 3 May 53
Pte Bear, M                      3 May 53
Pte Burak, JN                   3 May 53
Pte Chiasson, MP             3 May 53
Pte Christoff, JJ                3 May 53
Pte Clark, R                     3 May 53
Pte Diehl, FA                    3 May 53
Cpl Doherty, GE              12 Jul 53
Pte Everingham, DW        3 May 53
Cpl Ferlatte, JA              21 Jul 53
Pte Gallinger, PH             3 May 53
Pte Gardiner, RL             3 May 53
Pte Girard, RFT              3 May 53
Pte Grennan, RJ              3 May 53
Pte Hedderson, TJ          3 May 53
Pte Keating, JP               3 May 53
Pte Lockhart, WJ          19 Jun 53
Pte Lucas, WF               2 May 53
Cpl MacLean, DHR       3 May 53
Pte Mehan, JC               3 May 53
Lt Meynell, GB              3 May 53
Pte Morningstar, C      10 May 53
L/Cpl Nankervis, RA    1 May 53
Cpl Newell, DL            3 May 53
Pte Penney, DW          20 Jul 53
Pte Raeburn, IN            3 May 53
L/Cpl Redmond, PG    22 April 53
Pte Regan, WP            17 Jul 53
Pte Rice, IL                   3 May 53
Pte Roach, LS               3 May 53
Cpl Schoultz, RB           3 May 53
Pte Spencley, PC           3 May 53
Pte Storey, AE             14 Jul 53
Cpl Topping, WJL        16 Sep 53
Sgt Walker, GWM       12 Jul 53
Pte Wellington, DM        3 May 53
Pte Woodbury, TR          3 May 53

Warminster - RCL Cahiague Branch 619

Location:  N 44° 38.361 W 079° 32.581  On the east side of Highway 12, at the south end of town, in front of the Legion.


Very nice memorial in front of the Cahaigue Branch 619. This is a very active branch of the legion, home of many community events.  The plaque on this memorial was presented by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #619 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Ladies Auxiliary of Canada, 1929 - 1978.

WORLD WAR I
1914 - 1918

BY THE GRACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD,
MAY ALL WHO PASS BY THIS WAY,
CARRY IN THEIR SACRED HEARTS,
THE MEMORIES OF ALL THOSE WHO
FOUGHT AND DIED SO THAT WE
MAY ALL LIVE IN FREEDOM.

WORLD WAR II
1939 - 1945

LEST WE FORGET
KOREA 1950 - 1953

THIS PLAQUE PRESENTED BY THE LADIES'
AUXILIARY, BRANCH 619, IN COMMEMORATION
OF THE 50TH. ANNIVERSARY OF THE LADIES'
AUXILIARY - CANADA. 1928 - 1978

Lisle

Location:  N 44° 16.021 W 079° 58.791  In front of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 559, At 8439 Main Street West, just outside the west gate of CFB Borden.

A stone cairn with a brass plaque sits outside the RCL in Lisle, a small village outside CFB Borden.  There is a large artillery piece out front near the road.
Originally built in 1968, the Legion contracted Sgt. Vince Sullivan to construct the memorial.  He had also constructed the cenotaph at Worthington Park  in Base Borden.  Using materials left over from the Worthington Park memorial, Sgt. Sullivan completed the work, with help from the Fraternal members of the legion, in less than one week, and free of charge.
The original memorial was built with smooth sides, but in 1995, the memorial received a facelift, which included resurfacing the base, and covering the smooth sides with colourful fieldstones.

This memorial is used for the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies, as well as other outdoor services.

Text reads:
IN MEMORY OF THOSE
WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES
FOR THIS COUNTRY

Sutton

Location:  N 44° 17.996 W 079° 21.194  On the west side of High Street, just past the turn-off from Highway 48.  The town is also known by some as Sutton West.


ERECTED BY THE SUTTON LEGION AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES

1914-1918 1939-1945 KOREA

LEST WE FORGET


One of the few memorials I have seen flying the NATO flag, as well as the Canadian flag.

The Sutton Legion, Branch 356 is located a short distance away, around the corner on East Street.

This memorial has special meaning for me, as both my parents came from Sutton, and many family members were proud members of the Legion.  My father and uncles were all navy men, I changed the tradition by joining the army.